The Commission on Elections in Dumaguete City has initiated a move to penetrate the different barangays in the city to encourage more voters to file their applications for registration prior to the next elections in 2016.
The move aims to reach out to as many voters, said City Election Officer Atty. Gildu Agoncillo, to include the newly qualified having reached voting age and previous voters whose names were deactivated from the voters’ list for failure to vote in two succeeding elections.
Also, conducting voters’ registration at the barangays will lessen the number of people lining up at the last minute at the Comelec office prior to an electoral exercise, especially the upcoming presidential polls in 2016, Agoncillo explained.
The off-site voters’ registration started three Sundays ago, first held July 6 at Barangay Calindagan, on July 13 at Barangay Pulantubig and on July 20 for the PWDs special registration day, wherein regular voters’ also filed their applications for registration.
This coming Sunday, July 27, the Comelec will conduct an off-site voters’ registration in Barangay Daro, to be followed in the succeeding Sundays in Barangays Buñao and Cantil-e.
Atty. Agoncillo said the activity, held in coordination with barangay officials, has proven effective with an average of 190 registrants per Sunday.
The off-site registration is held usually at the barangay hall.
Agoncillo said his office will visit all of the city’s 30 barangays and might even do a second round if needed.
Meanwhile, voter’s ID cards for those who had registered with their biometrics taken between 2007 and 2009 are now being released to the voters, according to the city election officer.
However, voters who have registered in recent years still do not have their voter’s ID available.
The lists of registered voters that need biometrics are also being posted in their barangays, Agoncillo added. (PNA/JFP)
